Man of Steel: Mackenzie Gray to play Jax-Ur?

Latest rumours suggest unknown character could be Kryptonian

Yahoo Contributor Network - Will Jax-Ur or Lex Luthor make an appearance in 'Man of Steel'?

Smallville actor Mackenzie Gray may be tipped to play Lex Luthor in 'Man of Steel'… but it seems there's another Superman character that just might fit the bill.

Since Mackenzie Gray joined the cast of 'Man of Steel', the internet has been abuzz with rumours surrounding which role he will get to play… and so far, it's ranged from Lex Luthor to the evil android, Brainiac. But while popular theory is that he'll take to the screen as Superman's arch-nemesis, it seems there might be another contender in the mix.

Rumours have already begun to circulate (thanks to ComicBook.com) that Mackenzie won't be taking up the mantle of Lex Luthor… Instead, it's thought that he'll be joining the cast as Kryptonian scientist, Jax-Ur.

"The latest online buzz is that Mackenzie Gray is playing neither Lex Luthor nor Braniac," they explain. "Mackenzie Gray is instead playing a Kryptonian scientist named Jax-Ur."

But then, without any source to go by (and merely referring to 'online buzz') this is to be taken with a rather hefty pinch of salt.

Having teamed up with General Zod on several occasions (both in the comic-books and on-screen in The Animated Adventures), I have to admit - there's something about this role that just seems to fit with what we know. After all, everything so far points towards a rather Kryptonian-heavy script. But does that really mean there's room for one more?

"[General Zod is] not a villain any more than any other general fighting to protect his people," said Michael Shannon in an interview with Total Film. "He doesn't like to just hurt people and steal diamonds; he's focused on being successful at his job."

Of course, with Krypton destroyed and only a handful of his fellow natives left, could Jax-Ur be one of the Kryptonians that General Zod has sworn to protect? For now, we'll have to wait and see. But I can't help feeling I'd prefer to see Lex Luthor pop up at some point.

Who do you think Mackenzie Gray will play in 'Man of Steel'? Would you like to see the return of Lex Luthor? Or is Jax-Ur a bit more fitting?